Mystery Behind reog Ponorogo dance

Jumat, 24 Juni 2016

Mystery Behind reog Ponorogo dance. 

Mystery Behind reog Ponorogo dance. 

Reog Ponorogo art show has been known to foreign countries. Reog into art that has the noble values ​​of culture and traditions of the people of Ponorogo. Not surprisingly, each of the play is always filled with citizens who want to enjoy this dance.

Ponorogo reog staging often done routinely in Monument Bantarangin, Somoroto Village, District Kauman. This location is believed to be local residents as the embryo of the birth reog. At this location, staging held six times a year with a specific timetable tailored to the activities of citizens.

The origin of reog Ponorogo motivated by the journey of King of the Kingdom Bantarangin, namely King Kelono Sewandono time will be proposed as a candidate Sky Goddess Songgo empress in the year 900 Saka. Candidates consort named Dewi Songgo The sky is the daughter of the Kingdom of Kediri.

In the version narrated Bantarangin when spoken by King Kelono Sewandono, Dewi Songgo Sky stipulating severe enough, that her husband should be able to present an interesting spectacle.

Watch or the crowd that was not there before. A kind of dance that accompanied wasp and gamelan. Equipped with twin rows of horses as much as one hundred and forty tail and must be able to present a two-headed beast.

Proposed terms Songgo Goddess of Heaven is a subtle rejection of the princess because although Kelono Sewandono was a king who was handsome and dashing, but has some strange habits, likes the boys. The boy was regarded as pretty girls.

Odd habit Kelono Sewandono Bantarangin king is believed to be stopped if the king to marry Dewi Songgo sky. This is obtained in a dream Kelono Sewandono.

Mentioned in addition to King Kelono Sewandono, Singabarong of the King of the Kingdom Lodaya also put his heart to the Goddess of Heaven Songgo.

Told, King Singabarong is a strange human. He is a man who headed tiger savage and cruel character. Hence the terms demanded the princess is very difficult to achieve.

However, both Singabarong and Kelono kedigjayaan Sewandono that have started to exert his power and his men to create a fascinating spectacle as well as get a two-headed beast.

But the job was not easy. Riding twins can already collected, but the spectacle with new creations have not been created, thus pulabelum obtained.

Singabarong then figure out what Kelono rival Sewandono already can create a spectacle with new creations and a two-headed beast. Based on information obtained from the duke of the Kingdom Lodaya obtained information if King Kelono Sewandono almost managed to embody the Goddess Songgolangit request and intends to come to the Kingdom of Kediri where the goddess resides.

So Singabarong Bantarangin also intends to confront forces led by Kelono Sewandono. So that the fighting broke out singobarong transformed into a huge lion and successfully repulsed the troops Bantarangin.

But singobarong eventually subdued after being hit with a weapon named King Kelono Sewandono Pecut Samandiman.

So that the journey of King of the Kingdom Bantarangin King Kelono Sewandono time will woo Songgo Goddess of Heaven to meet with singobarong known Reog Ponorogo.

Where reog art that begins with the presence of a group of Warok dilakonkan the dancers dressed in all black, or sometimes with an open chest're doing if kanuragan alias magic.

Furthermore, the present jathil which is a representation of the horsemen. They reflect the forces of the Kingdom Bantarangin prepared to leave for the Kingdom of Kediri. They will escort the king, King Kelono Sewandono will propose ayu daughter Kediri Kingdom idol of kings and princes in the future, Songgo Goddess of Heaven.

Next came the masked dancers who constitute the kingdom patih Bantarangin, Anom Poet aka Bujang Ganong. Movement is very typical, it's called Ganongan. The patih described sebagia agile people with very energetic behavior. He hopped to and fro with acrobatic moves.

King Kelono Sewandono himself was present in the middle of the performance. Generally accompanied by a song that depicts a conversation between the king with patihnya. The climax is the emergence singobarong or dhadhak Merak. Lion-headed creature that is very large with peacock feathers arranged like a fan over his head.

Singobarong or dhadhak Merak can reach a weight of 50 kilograms mask is recognized as the largest and heaviest in the world. As pethilan or pieces of dance, mask dance performances singobarong the world today. Memainannya also countless unique ways, namely by biting the back of this mask. There is a special ritual that is performed prior to play this singobarong.

Outside this version, there are two to three versions of the story behind this dance. All have a different rationale since the purpose of presentation is also different. One version is quite well known is the version of Ki Ageng Kutu.

In a number of reference mentioned, this version reog dance is a satire creator, Ki Ageng Kutu against the current rulers, Bhre Kertabumi, King of Majapahit last generation.

Dhadhak peacock is a symbol of the ruler who controlled the queen originating from China represented by a peacock feather. Even in general, this satire directed at corrupt rulers of the period, which is easily driven brokers and business partners from China.

Burung Cenderawasih (Beautiful bird from Indonesia)

Kamis, 14 Januari 2016

Bird of Paradise including rare birds in Indonesia. Birds of paradise from Papua that also characterizes the island. Very beautiful fur color makes cenderawasih dubbed the bird of paradise (bird of paradise). Therefore, most of the people of Papua believe that the bird of paradise is the incarnation of an angel from heaven. But according to the people Fakfak, paradise is the embodiment of a boy named Kweiya. How the story? Consider the story of The Origin of Birds of Paradise below.
The origin of birds of paradise started when an old woman with a dog females in the Highlands Bumberi, Fakfak, West Papua Province. One day, the old woman with her pet dog looking for food in the forest. That day, they had to walk quite a distance because the supply of food around the house has begun to diminish. After walking quite a distance, they arrived in a place filled with red fruit tree (a type of typical pandan Papua) which happen to have been fruitful. The old woman was immediately red fruit picking and given to a hungry dog. The bitch straight red fruit gobble up her look fresh again.
However, a few moments later, the dog suddenly felt something moving in his stomach. The female dog's stomach getting bigger as she is pregnant. Magically, just in time not long, the bitch gave birth to a tiny puppy. Seeing this miracle, the woman also intends consuming red berries in order to get a descent as experienced by the dog.
"Oh, miraculous red fruit that," the woman amazed. "I want to try the fruit so that I could give birth to a child."

Pictures birds of paradise

The woman was soon picking the red fruit and ate. Once he swallowed the fruit, her stomach suddenly experienced similar things with his dog, increasingly enlarged belly. Immediately the woman hurried home to home. Arriving home, she finally gave birth to a boy. The child was named Kweiya.
Ten years later, Kweiya has grown into a teenager. Kweiya very diligently to help his mother work by opening the forest to be used as a vegetable garden. But because it uses only a stone ax, he was only able to cut down the tree every day. Meanwhile, her mother can only help burn the leaves from trees that have fallen. As a result, thick smoke was billowing and soared into the air. Without them knowing it, it turns out thick smoke that has attracted the attention of an elderly man who was fishing in a river.
"Hi, from where thick smoke it? Who is burning the forest? "Muttered the old man.
By curiosity, the old man immediately find the source of the thick smoke. After a tiring journey, he arrived at the smoke was coming from. There, he found a handsome teenager was cutting down trees in the sun.
"Weing weinggiha pohi (good afternoon), young man," says the old man. "Who are you and why deforest here?"
"My name Kweiya. I want to create a garden to help my mother "replied Kweiya
The old man understood that Kweiya is filial to parents. So he gave his iron ax to Kweiya.
"Then, take this iron ax. You will be faster to cut down trees, "said the old man. "Thank you sir," replied Kweiya.
Pictures birds of paradise
Kweiya was able to complete its work quickly. In a short time, he was able to knock down some big trees. After that, he rushed home to tell his work to his mother. Her mother was very surprised at the news.
"How can you as soon as it is cut down the trees, my son? What tools do you use? "She asked, surprised.
Kweiya pause. He seemed to want to keep the old man who had helped it.
"I do not know too, Mom. Incidentally my hand was too light to lift the ax in order to chop down a tree quickly, "said Kweiya.
Hearing the answer, the mother Kweiya trust. Meanwhile, Kweiya requested that her mother preparing food that much. Apparently, Kweiya intends to invite the old man who ate together at once introduced him to his mother.
"Mom, tomorrow please prepare plenty of food," pleaded Kweiya.
The next day, the mother Kweiya cook enough food. Meanwhile, Kweiya want to make a surprise for her. While traveling back to his cabin, he wrapped the old man with a cane tree complete with leaves. Arriving home, the package is placed in front of the door. After that, he went into the house and as if to feel very thirsty. He also asked his mother to fetch a piece of sugar cane to remove the sense of thirst.
"Mom, I'm thirsty. Bring me a piece of sugar cane in front of the door, "pleaded Kweiya.
Kweiya mother was obeyed his request. When the mother unwrapped the leaf cane, he was very surprised to find an old man lying in the parcel. Instantly, she screamed in terror as she ran into the hut.
"Kweiya, who the old man? Why he was in that package? "She asked, surprised.
Kweiya smiled and reassured her.
"I'm sorry, ma'am," said Kweiya. "I did not mean to scare her. Actually, that's an old man who has helped me cut down trees in the forest. I beg Mrs. willing to accept as a friend to live! "
Kweiya mother was silent. After a moment's thought, he accepted his request. Since then, the old man stayed with them. Kweiya and his mother did not feel lonely anymore.
A few years later, Kweiya mother gave birth to two boys and a girl from the marriage with the old man. Kweiya considered as a third brother younger brother. They live in harmony and love each other. However, their relative eventually become cracked due to both her younger brother envy Kweiya. They are jealous because Kweiya always received special attention from their mother.
One day, when their parents were out into the garden, her siblings Kweiya gang up injured. Although annoyed, Kweiya not bear repay her siblings. He prefers to hide in one corner of the hut while spinning the rope of skins as much as possible. The spun yarn will be made wings.
Meanwhile, Kweiya parents had just arrived from the garden. When knowing Kweiya was not at home, the mother then asked the brothers Kweiya.
"Where are you going brother?" Asked the mother.
"Do not know ma'am," replied the brother Kweiya simultaneously.
Both brother Kweiya is apparently afraid to tell the events which led to their fight Kweiya away from home. However, their youngest brother who witnessed the incident tell their mother. How sad his mother when he heard the story of his youngest daughter. He then shouted calling Kweiya in order to quickly return home. However, not Kweiya coming, but the sounds of birds are heard.
"Eek .. oak ... oak ... oak ..!" So the sound of the bird.
The sound of the voice turns Kweiya who have inserted yarn spun in the armpit and then jump to the top ridge of the house and then fly to the top of one tree branch in front of their house. Kweiya apparently has turned into a bird that is very beautiful and colorful feathers. See the miraculous event, the mother was sobbing as she asked to Kweiya spun yarn.
"Kweiya, my son. Is there still a spun yarn for me? "Asked the mother.
"The mother I paste in the umbrella mat," said Kweiya.
The mother immediately took the spun yarn was then inserts the armpit. Once transformed into a bird, he then flapping its wings and fly-kepakkan after Kweiya perched on a tree branch. That said, two birds now known as bird of paradise is seen conversing with their chirping.
"Wong ... ... wong wong ... wong ...! Ko ... ko ... why ...! Wo-WIK "chirp as they are not known meaning.
Since then, the bird of paradise males and females often appear in Fakfak, West Papua, with a different color. By Onin society, the male bird of paradise feathers tend to be longer then the LHA language called Siangga, while the female bird of paradise called Hanggam Tombor.
Both brother Kweiya who witnessed the miraculous events that could only surrender abandoned by their mother and sister. They ended up blaming each other so that they are throwing ashes of the furnace. Their faces became dark gray, gray, and there is also a red color. Instantly it anyway, they turned into birds and then flew to the jungle to follow their mother and sister. That is why, jungle Fakfak more fulfilled by a variety of birds that are less attractive than the bird of paradise.

tag : Burung Cenderawasih (Beautiful bird from Indonesia) Burung Cenderawasih (Beautiful bird from Indonesia)

TELAGA WARNA

TELAGA WARNA
Long time ago there was a kingdom in West Java. The kingdom was ruled by a king called Prabu. He was a kind and wise king. Under Prabu’s leadership, the kingdom grew into a prosperous kingdom. There’s no hunger in the kingdom. Everybody in the kingdom loved their king. But, there’s one problem. The king and his queen hadn’t got any children. It made the couple very sad. That was why Prabu decided to go to the jungle. There, he meditated and prayed to God. Everyday he begged for a child. His dream finally came true. A few months later, the queen got pregnant. All people in the kingdom felt very happy. They sent many presents to the palace to express their happiness. Nine months later a baby girl was born. The baby grew as a beautiful teenager then.

Prabu and his queen loved their daughter so much. They gave what ever she wanted. It made the princess grew into a spoiled girl. When her wish couldn’t be fulfilled, she would be very angry. She even said bad things often. Even though the princess behaved badly, her parents still loved her, and so did the people in the kingdom.
Time passed and the princess grew more beautiful. In a few days, the princess would be seventeen years old. That’s why people of that kingdom brought many presents for her. They bring gold and beautiful jewelries. Prabu collected the presents. Then Prabu stored them in a special room. Some times he would take them to give to his people who needed it. Prabu only took a few gold and jewels. Then he brought them to a goldsmith. “Please make a necklace for my daughter,” said Prabu. “My pleasure, Your Majesty,” the goldsmith replied. The goldsmith worked with all his heart and his ability. He wanted to create the most beautiful necklace for the princess.
The birthday came. People gathered in the palace field. Then Prabu and the queen appeared. They waved to their beloved people. Cheers were loud and louder when the princess appeared. Everybody admired her beauty. Prabu got up from his chair and took a small pillow. A beautiful necklace was on the pillow. Prabu took that necklace. “My beloved daughter, today I give this necklace to you. This necklace is a gift from people in this country. They love you so much. They presented it for you to express their happiness, because you have growing to a woman,” said Prabu. The princess accepted the necklace. She looked at the necklace in a glance. “I don’t want this necklace! It’s ugly!” shouted the princess as she threw the necklace away. The necklace hit the floor and was broken. The gold and jewels were spread out on the floor.
No body dared to speak. They never thought that their beloved princess would do such a cruel thing. In their silence, people heard the queen crying. Every woman felt sad and began crying too. Then everybody was crying. Suddenly, from the middle of the field, a spring emerged. It quickly became a pool. The palace was getting flooded. Soon the place become a big lake.
Nowadays the water on that lake is not as full as before. There is only a small lake now. People called the lake Telaga Warna (it means lake of colour). On a bright day, the lake is full of colour. These colors come from the reflections of forest, plants, flowers, and sky around the lake. But some people said that the colours are from the princess’ necklace, which spreads at the bottom of the lake.***

Grandpa Miniature Artisans reog Ponorogo

Senin, 11 Januari 2016

Misdi Grandma, Grandpa Miniature Artisans reog Ponorogo. What do Mbah Misdi should be appreciated, especially residents of Ponorogo. Why not, even though he was already stepping on the head of seven, but still skilled hands make various miniature reog Ponorogo. Not only sudden peacock, various complementary reog art, ranging from drums, masks flunky Ganong until the horse for mini-sized jathil he can still create.
Grandfather who lives in Jalan Kunti, Village Surodikraman, Ponorogo city is already menelateni effort to make miniature reog ponorogo This is already more than thirty years. Or after he chose to retire from the artist reog Ponorogo.
He deliberately made miniature art reog reog because they want to not only be a mere story without any form. By making miniature reog, at least could be evidence if reog Ponorogo will not fade. Moreover, with a miniature terpajangnya reog located within the frame measuring one meter can make people more loving Ponorogo and have the native culture of our ancestors.




'' Yes ​​at least not with such a display of miniature reog can treat the sense of missed against reog because they can not every day we can see the art reog. Moreover, Ponorogo citizens who are outside the city. By installing miniature reog indirectly to promote the arts reog, '' said Mbah Misdi carve miniature mask while Ganong flunky.
Although age has withered and wrinkled hands because with age, but the work of the hands of champion Misdi not inferior to other carving artist. Reog miniature artificial proven to be sold to overseas. Start Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Suriname. '' Some tourists there who entrusted his friend there also directly come here to see and directly purchase miniature artificial reog me, '' he told reporters suarakumandang.
Not only miniature reog ponorogo, former player Warok pembarong and is also proficient in making miniature, father of four children are also able to make real reog. Even the ability to make a sudden begins with peacock complete with drums. But due to lack of buyers, eventually grandfather who was familiarly called Ndoweh champion chose to pursue making miniature reog Ponorogo.
'' It's more palatable to make miniature reog, many buyers, even I sometimes queued subscriptions due to lack of power to make. Because my children are not always able to help create a miniature reog, '' he concluded.
Mbah Misdi expect the local government's role in the preservation of their culture and lack of attention to the craftsmen reog Ponorogo. So far, there was virtually no government attention to the artists reog. He was afraid that if this trend continues, it could be reog Ponorogo art will live the story. '' There have been many artists and craftsmen who retired. Yes the reason was because of the difficulty of finding capital. While the government almost never pay attention to artists and craftsmen reog, '' jeasnya.As for a miniature reog, typically priced starting from Rp 300 thousand to Rp 700 thousand rupiah, depending on the size of the frame and miniature reog.

Watu Sacks is nirvana Pacitan East Java Indonesia

Sabtu, 09 Januari 2016

Watu Sacks is nirvana. Charm of the extraordinary beautiful beaches with coral islands, turquoise sea water, clean beaches with soft white sand, and two surf spots that offers barrel and world-class waves.

The journey to Watu Karung (WK) is not easy. Hidden at one point along the south coast of Pacitan (East Java, Indonesia), Watu sacks can be reached by motorcycle or car rental through the winding roads up and down the hills. One hour trip was no stopping, making YogYES wonder how much longer we will get there. Even on arrival at a village called Watu Sacks, still no sign of the beach. And suddenly there appeared a port with dozens of small boats in front of us. The place is also home to the fishermen about fish auction. But the journey is not over because the surf spots are in a different place.

Passing through a narrow street with houses on either side, our motorcycle suddenly stopped because the soil suddenly changed with sand. Ahead of a beautiful beach with turquoise waves stretches. White sand was very soft. Adorn coral islands offshore. The sunlight that shines bright and blue sky makes it all the more perfect. Watu Sacks is nirvana.


 


Behind the beauty, Watu Karung proved to have incredible waves. With this type of reef break and seabed in the form of rock, at certain moments Karung Watu can produce barrels that will make the surfer was in heaven. Good surfer with style and natural goofy can surf here because Watu Sacks has left and right waves. This place is also not too crowded, so surfers could surf freely pursue. Offshore wind typically comes in from April to October, making these months are the best moments to mingle with the barrel Watu sacks. In 2009, Indonesia's top surfers Rizal Tanjung invites Bruce Irons, winner of the Rip Curl Pro Search in 2008 to try and prove that the waves Watu Sacks is a world-class waves.

East Nusa Tenggara

Jumat, 08 Januari 2016

East Nusa Tenggara
Nusa Tenggara Timur
Province
Komodo Island
Komodo Island
Flag of East Nusa Tenggara
Flag Official seal of East Nusa Tenggara
Seal
Location of East Nusa Tenggara in Indonesia
Location of East Nusa Tenggara in Indonesia
Coordinates: 10°11′S 123°35′ECoordinates: 10°11′S 123°35′E
Country Indonesia
Capital Kupang
Government
 

• Governor Frans Lebu Raya (PDI-P)
  Vice Governor Benny Alexander Litelnoni Area
  Total 48,718.10 km2 (18,810.16 sq mi) Population (2014 Estimate)1
  Total 5,070,746
• Density 100/km2 (270/sq mi) Demographics
• Ethnic groups Atoni or Dawan (22%)
• Manggarai (15%)
• Sumba (12%)
• Belu (9%)
• Lamaholot (8%)
• Rote (5%)
• Lio (4%)2
• Religion Roman Catholicism (55%) Protestantism (34%)
• Islam (8%)
• Other (3%)3
• Languages Indonesian, Kupang Malay, Lamaholot, Uab Meto, Bunak, Tetum Time zone WITA (UTC+08)
• Vehicle registration DH, EB, ED
• Website www.nttprov.go.id

East Nusa Tenggara (Indonesian: Nusa Tenggara Timur – NTT) is a province of Indonesia. It is located in the eastern part of the Lesser Sunda Islands and includes West Timor. It has a total area of 48,718.1 km2, and the population at the 2010 Census was 4,683,827; the latest official estimate in January 2014 was 5,070,746. The provincial capital is Kupang on West Timor.

The province consists of more than 500 islands, the three largest are Flores, Sumba, and the western half of Timor (West Timor). The eastern part of Timor is the independent country of East Timor. East Nusa Tenggara is the only province in Indonesia where Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion. Nusa Tenggara Timur, in Indonesian, means "eastern of the southeastern islands"; compare to Nusa Tenggara Barat, which means "western of the southeastern islands".


History

After the declaration of Indonesian independence in 1945, the eastern part of Indonesia declared the State of East Indonesia.4 The state was further included in the United States of Indonesia as part of the agreement with the Dutch contained in the transfer its sovereignty to Indonesia in 1949.

In 1950, United States of Indonesia dissolved itself into a unitary state and began to divide its component area into provinces. In 1958, by Indonesian law (Undang-Undang) No. 64/1958, three provinces were established in the Lesser Sunda Islands, namely Bali, West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara.5 The area of East Nusa Tenggara province included the western part of Timor island, Flores, Sumba and other several small islands in the region. The province was sub-divided into twelve regencies and the City of Kupang, which had regency-level status.6

Following the fall of the Suharto regime in 1998 and the passage of a new regional autonomy law, there was a dramatic proliferation (known as pemekaran) of regional governments across Indonesia (at both provincial and regency level). Several new regencies were created in East Nusa Tenggara by the division of existing regencies:

In 1999, the new Lembata Regency was formed after the division of the East Flores Regency.7
In 2002, Rote and Ndao Islands were split off from Kupang Regency, to form a new Rote Ndao Regency.8
In 2003, Manggarai Regency was split into two and a new West Manggarai Regency was established.9
In 2007, the administration of East Nusa Tenggara province was expanded by the establishment of four new regencies - Central Sumba and Southwest Sumba (both cut out of West Sumba Regency), Nagekeo (cut out of Ngada Regency) and East Manggarai (cut out of Manggarai Regency).
In October 2008 a further regency - Sabu Raijua (comprising the Savu Islands group) - was formed from part of the remaining Kupang Regency.
In December 2012 yet another regency - Malaka - was created out of the southern half of Belu Regency.

Therefore, as of early 2013, there were twenty-one regencies plus the one autonomous city (Kupang) in the province.
Geography

Located in the east of Lesser Sunda Islands, East Nusa Tenggara faces the Indian Ocean in the south and Flores Sea in the north. The province is bordered by other provinces, West Nusa Tenggara in the west. In the east, the province is bordered by East Timor and southern part of Maluku.
Komodo, one of the small islands in this province.

The province consists of about 566 islands, the largest and most dominant are Flores, Sumba, and the western part of Timor. The other is smaller islands include Adonara, Alor, Komodo, Lembata (formerly called Lomblen), Menipo, Raijua, Rincah, Rote Island (the southernmost island in Indonesia), Savu, Semau, and Solor. The highest point in the province is Mount Mutis in the South Central Timor Regency, 2,427 meters above sea level.10
Closer look to the islands of East Nusa Tenggara
Administrative divisions

The province is divided into twenty-one regencies and one city. These are listed below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 Census and at the latest (2014) estimates:11

Gajah Mada (c. 1290 – c. 1364) a Hero From East

Kamis, 07 Januari 2016

Gajah Mada (c. 1290 – c. 1364) was, according to Javanese old manuscripts, poems and mythology, a powerful military leader and mahapatih or prime minister of the Majapahit Empire, credited with bringing the empire to its peak of glory.[1]:234,239 He delivered an oath called Sumpah Palapa, in which he vowed not to eat any food containing spices until he had conquered all of the Southeast Asian archipelago of Nusantara for Majapahit.[2] In modern Indonesia, he serves as an important national hero,[3] a symbol of patriotism and national unity

Gajah-Mada.jpg


Rise to Power

Not much is known about Gajah Mada's early life. Some of the first accounts mention his career as commander of the Bhayangkara, an elite guard for Majapahit kings and their family. When Rakrian Kuti, one of the officials in Majapahit, rebelled against the Majapahit king Jayanegara (ruled 1309–1328) in 1321, Gajah Mada and the then-mahapatih Arya Tadah helped the king and his family to escape the capital city of Trowulan. Later Gajah Mada aided the king to return to the capital and crush the rebellion. Seven years later, Jayanegara was murdered by Rakrian Tanca, the court physician, one of Rakrian Kuti's aides.

In another version, according to the Nagarakretagama (a Javanese language epic poem dating from the 14th century), and supported by inscriptions dating from the late 13th and early 14th century, Jayanagara was assassinated by Gajah Mada in 1328. It is said[who?] that Jayanagara was overprotective towards his two half sisters, born from Kertarajasa's youngest queen, Dyah Dewi Gayatri. Complaints by the two young princesses led to the intervention of Gajah Mada. His drastic solution was to arrange for a surgeon to murder the king while pretending to perform an operation.

Jayanegara was immediately succeeded by his sister Tribhuwana Wijayatunggadewi (ruled 1328–1350). It was under her leadership that Gajah Mada was appointed mahapatih (Prime Minister) in 1329, after the retirement of Arya Tadah.

As mahapatih under Thribuwana Tunggadewi Gajah Mada went on to crush another rebellion by Sadeng and Keta in 1331.

It was during Gajah Mada's reign as mahapatih, around the year 1345, that the famous Muslim traveller, Ibn Battuta visited Sumatera.
The Palapa Oath and Invasion
Main article: Palapa oath

It is said that it was during his appointment as mahapatih under queen Tribhuwanatunggadewi that Gajah Mada took his famous oath, Palapa Oath or Sumpah Palapa. The telling of the oath is described in the Pararaton (Book of Kings), an account on Javanese history that dates from the 15th or 16th century:

“Sira Gajah Mada pepatih amungkubumi tan ayun amukita palapa, sira Gajah Mada : Lamun huwus kalah nusantara Ingsun amukti palapa, lamun kalah ring Gurun, ring Seram, Tanjungpura, ring Haru, ring Pahang, Dompo, ring Bali, Sunda, Palembang, Temasek, samana ingsun amukti palapa “

"Gajah Mada, the prime minister, said he will not taste any spice. Said Gajah Mada : If Nusantara (Nusantara= Nusa antara= external territories) are lost, I will not taste "palapa" ("fruits and or spices"). I will not if the domain of Gurun, domain of Seram, domain of Tanjungpura, domain of Haru, Pahang, Dompo, domain of Bali, Sunda, Palembang, Tumasik, in which case I will never taste any spice."

While often interpreted literally to mean that Gajah Mada would not allow his food to be spiced (palapa is the prose combination of pala apa= any fruits/spices) the oath is sometimes interpreted to mean that Gajah Mada would abstain from all earthly pleasures until he conquered the entire known archipelago for Majapahit.

Even his closest friends were at first doubtful of his oath, but Gajah Mada kept pursuing his dream to unify Nusantara under the glory of Majapahit. Soon he conquered the surrounding territory of Bedahulu (Bali) and Lombok (1343). He then sent the navy westward to attack the remnants of the thallassocrathic kingdom of Sriwijaya in Palembang. There he installed Adityawarman, a Majapahit prince as vassal ruler[dubious – discuss] of the Minangkabau in West Sumatra.

He then conquered the first Islamic sultanate in Southeast Asia, Samudra Pasai, and another state in Svarnadvipa (Sumatra). Gajah Mada also conquered Bintan, Tumasik (Singapore), Melayu (now known as Jambi), and Kalimantan.

At the resignation of the queen, Tribuwanatunggadewi, her son, Hayam Wuruk (ruled 1350–1389) became king. Gajah Mada retained his position as mahapatih (Prime Minister) under the new king and continued his military campaign by expanding eastward into Logajah, Gurun, Seram, Hutankadali, Sasak, Buton, Banggai, Kunir, Galiyan, Salayar, Sumba, Muar (Saparua), Solor, Bima, Wandan (Banda), Ambon, Timor, and Dompo.

He thus effectively brought the modern Indonesian archipelago under Majapahits's control, which spanned not only the territory of today's Indonesia, but also that of Temasek (old name of Singapore), the states comprising modern-day Malaysia, Brunei, the southern Philippines and East Timor.
The Battle Of Bubat
Main article: Battle of Bubat

In 1357, the only remaining state refusing to acknowledge Majapahit's hegemony was Sunda, in West Java, bordering the Majapahit Empire. King Hayam Wuruk intended to marry Dyah Pitaloka Citraresmi, a princess of Sunda and the daughter of Sunda's king. Gajah Mada was given the task to go to the Bubat square on northern part of Trowulan to welcome the princess as she arrived with her father and escort to Majapahit palace.

Gajah Mada took this opportunity to demand Sunda submission under Majapahit rule. While the Sunda King thought that the royal marriage was a sign of a new alliance between Sunda and Majapahit, Gajah Mada thought otherwise. He stated that the Princess of Sunda is not to be hailed as the new queen consort of Majapahit, but merely as a concubine, as a sign of submission of Sunda to Majapahit. This misunderstanding led to embarrassment and hostility, which quickly rose into a skirmish and the full scale Battle of Bubat. The Sunda King with all of his guards and royal party were overwhelmed by Majapahit troops and subsequently killed in the field of Bubat. Tradition mentioned that the heartbroken princess, Dyah Pitaloka Citraresmi, committed suicide.

Hayam Wuruk was deeply shocked about the tragedy. Majapahit courtiers, ministers and nobles blamed Gajah Mada for his recklesness, and the brutal consequences were not to the taste of the Majapahit royal family. Gajah Mada was promptly demoted and spent the rest of his days at the estate of Madakaripura in Probolinggo in East Java.

Gajah Mada died in obscurity in 1364.[1]:240 King Hayam Wuruk considered that the power Gajah Mada had accumulated during his time as mahapatih was too much to handle for a single person. Therefore, the king split the responsibilities that had been Gajah Mada's, between four separate new mahamantri (equal to ministries), thereby probably increasing his own power. King Hayam Wuruk, who is said to have been a wise leader, was able to maintain the hegemony of Majapahit in the region, gained during Gajah Mada's service. However Majapahit slowly fell into decline after the death of Hayam Wuruk.
Legacy

The Blahbatuh royal house in Gianyar, Bali, has been performing Gajah Mada's mask dance drama ritually for the past 600 years. The mask of Gajah Mada has been protected and brought to life every couple of years to unite and harmonize the world, this sacred ritual was intended to bring peace to Bali.[4]

Gajah Mada's legacy is important for Indonesian Nationalism, and invoked by Indonesian Nationalist movement in the early 20th century. The Nationalists prior to the Japanese invasion, notably Sukarno and Mohammad Yamin, often cited Gajah Mada's oath and Nagarakretagama as the inspiration and a historical proof of Indonesian past greatness — that Indonesians could unite, despite vast territory and various cultures. The Gajah Mada campaign that united the far flung islands within Indonesian archipelago under Majapahit suzerainty, was used by Indonesian nationalist to argue that an ancient form of unity was existed prior to Dutch colonialism.[5] Thus, Gajah Mada was a great inspiration during the Indonesian National Revolution for independence from Dutch colonization.

In 1942, only 230 Indonesian natives held a tertiary education. The Republicans sought to mend the Dutch apathy and established the first state university, which freely admitted native pribumi Indonesians. Universitas Gadjah Mada, in Yogyakarta is named in honour of Gajah Mada and completed in 1945, and had the honour of the first Medicine Faculty freely open to natives.[6][7][8] Indonesia's first telecommunication satellite was called Satelit Palapa signifying its role in uniting the country. Many cities in Indonesia but West Java have streets named after Gajah Mada. There is a brand of badminton shuttlecock named after him as well.
In popular culture

Gajah Mada is included in the expansion pack Brave New World for the video game Sid Meier's Civilization V as the leader of the Indonesian civilization.

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